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A sport utility vehicle, or SUV, is a type of passenger vehicle which combines the towing capability of a pickup truck with the passenger-carrying space of a station wagon. Most SUVs are designed with a roughly square cross-section, an engine compartment, a combined passenger and cargo compartment, and no dedicated trunk. Most mid-size and full-size SUVs have seven or more seats, and a cargo area directly behind the last row of seats. Compact SUVs and mini SUVs, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Suzuki Vitara, may have five or fewer seats. It is known in some countries as an off-road vehicle or four-wheel drive, often abbreviated to 4WD or 4x4, and pronounced "four-by-four". However, not all SUVs have four-wheel drive capabilities. Conversely, not all 4WD passenger vehicles are SUVs (see, for example, Subaru Impreza). More recently, SUVs designed primarily for driving on roads have grown in popularity. A new category, the crossover SUV uses car components for lighter weight and better fuel efficiency, but sacrificing off-road capability and towing ability. Design characteristics SUVs were built on body-on-frame chassis derived from light trucks, but several SUVs and crossover SUVs are now based on unibody architectures. *. SUVs typically have high seating and most can be equipped with four-wheel drive, providing an advantage in low traction environments. The design also allows for a large engine compartment, which allows for a wide variety of engine choices, both gasoline and Diesel. History Sport utility vehicles were originally descended from commercial and military vehicles such as the Jeep and Land Rover. SUVs have been popular for many years with rural buyers due to their off-road capabilities. The Jeep Wagoneer and the Ford Bronco were early SUV examples, followed by the Chevrolet Blazer and the GMC Jimmy. International Harvester also sold SUVs, notably the three-door Scout and the five-door Travelall. In the last 25 years, and even more in the last decade, SUVs have become popular with urban buyers. Consequently, more modern SUVs often come with luxury features and some crossover SUVs, such as the Nissan Murano, BMW X5, Acura MDX, and Toyota RAV4, have adopted lower ride heights and utilize unibody construction to better accommodate on-road driving. Popularity SUVs became popular in the United States, Canada, and Australia in the 1990s and early 2000s for a variety of reasons. Vehicle buyers were drawn to their large cabins, higher ride height, and perceived safety. Additionally, most full-size SUVs have far greater towing capacities than conventional cars, allowing owners to tow travel trailers (caravans), trailers, and boats with relative ease. A large growth in SUV popularity and sales is due to advertisement targeted towards women. Women constitute more than half of SUV drivers, and SUVs are one of the most popular vehicle choice of women in the United States. In Australia, a unique situation resulted in the growth in popularity of SUVs. There, SUVs have a much lower import duty than cars. This means a typical SUV has a price advantage over a similarly-equipped, imported sedan. However, in recent years, the import duty has been lowered for cars as well, and is currently at 10% (compared with 5% for SUVs). A common reason for SUV popularity cited by owners was their perceived safety advantage in a collision with regular cars. For instance, the higher profile allows for better visibility and anticipation of danger. The enhanced weight helped reduce the risk of injury by a third in children under the age of 16, though the roll-over fatality risk is raised in SUVs than cars negating the advantage. Furthermore, a crash test conducted by the British television programme "Top Gear" demonstrated that a 4x4 (in this case a Land Rover Discovery) fared much worse than a multi-purpose vehicle (a Renault Espace), when the two vehicles were crashed into each other. Some of their success could also be attributed to their "utilitarian" image, or the "bigger is better" image, the size and weight appealing to insecurity on the road, or a desire to be respected through one's vehicle. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, vehicle manufacturers sold SUVs very effectively, with per-vehicle profits substantially higher than other automobiles. Historically, their simpler designs often made the vehicles cheaper to make than comparably-priced cars. In the mid 2000s, however, their popularity has waned, due to higher fuel prices, rollover accident fatalities and higher relative pollution. As of the spring of 2006, some of the larger SUVs in the United States now require over 100USD per fillup, making their everyday use more cost-prohibitive. Current model SUVs (crossovers) take into account that 98% of SUV owners never go offroad. As such, SUVs now have lower ground clearance and suspension designed primarily for paved road usage. However, full-sized SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition have replaced old-fashioned full-size station wagons and bear similar features; such as 3-row seating and front bench seat. SUVs in remote areas SUVs are often used in places such as the Australian Outback, Africa, the Middle East, Alaska, Northern Canada, South America and most of Asia, which have limited paved roads and require the vehicle to have all-terrain handling, increased range, and storage capacity. The low availablity of spare parts and the need to carry out repairs quickly allow model vehicles with the bare minimum of electric and hydraulic systems to predominate. Typical examples are the Land Rover and the Toyota Land Cruiser. SUVs intended for use in urbanised areas have traditionally been developed from their more rugged all-terrain counterparts. For example the Hummer H1 is derived from the HMMWV, originally developed for the US Armed Forces. Other names Outside of North America and India, these vehicles are known simply as four-wheel-drives, often abbreviated to "4WD" or "4x4". They are classified as cars in countries such as the UK where the U.S. distinction between cars and 'light trucks' is not used. In Australia, the automotive industry and press have recently adopted the term SUV in place of four-wheel drive in the description of vehicles and market segments. (The term "Utility" or "ute" in Australia refers to an automobile with a flatbed rear or pick-up, typically seating two passengers and which is often used by tradesmen. It is typically not a 4WD vehicle.) SUVs in recreation and motorsport SUVs are also used to explore off-road places otherwise unreachable by other vehicles. In Australia, China, Europe, South Africa, South America and the United States at least, many 4WD clubs have been formed for this purpose. Modified SUVs also take part in races, most famously in the Paris-Dakar Rally, and the Australian Outback. With the increasing urbanisation of the world, SUVs are also used by those seeking unmodified landscapes and isolation, especially in nations with large wilderness areas lacking extensive road networks. Since most roads are meant to directly connect locations, many natural features of interest are inaccessible or not visible to most vehicles. The ability to travel without having to use roads is part of the appeal of SUV ownership due to a sense of independence this invokes in many people. SUVs also allow drivers to connect on an aesthetic level with the physical environment - by allowing owners to go off road, SUVs promote a greater value being applied to wilderness areas, an attachment difficult to gain through reading or simply seeing things on television. SUV clubs often promote this ideal and a commercial manifestation of this can be seen in the number of tourism operators dependent on SUVs for their activities, Australia being a strong example. Criticism The explosive growth in SUV ownership has attracted a large amount of criticism, mainly of the risks to other road users and the environment, but also on the basis that the perceived benefits to the vehicle owner are illusory or exaggerated. Safety
Rollover The high center of gravity of SUVs makes them more prone to rollover accidents (especially if the vehicle leaves the road or in emergency manoeuvres) than lower vehicles. In recent years, Consumer Reports has found a few SUVs unacceptable due to their rollover risk. This was also dramatically demonstrated in one Fifth Gear show using a Range Rover. Modern SUVs are usually designed to prevent rollovers on flat surfaces. Average heights for: In 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released results of a study that indicated that drivers of SUVs were 11% more likely to die in an accident than people in cars. * These figures may be confounded by variables other than the vehicles' inherent safety, for example the documented tendency for SUVs to be driven more recklessly (most sensationally perhaps, the 1996 finding that SUV drivers are more likely to drive drunk *). SUV drivers are also statistically less likely to wear their seatbelts. * Risk to other drivers Because of SUVs' greater height and weight, it is contended that SUVs can affect traffic safety. This height and weight, while perhaps giving an advantage to occupants inside the vehicle, often poses a risk to drivers of smaller vehicles in multi-vehicle accidents. SUV safety concerns are compounded by a perception among some consumers that SUVs are safer for their drivers than standard autos. According to G. C. Rapaille, a psychological consultant to automakers (as cited in Gladwell, 2004), many consumers feel safer in SUVs simply because their ride height makes "their passengers higher and dominate and look down (sic). That you can look down on other people is psychologically a very powerful notion." This and the massive size and weight of SUVs may lead to consumers' false perception of safety (Gladwell, 2004). *. In parts of Europe, effective 2006, the fitting of metallic bull bars, also known as grill guards and push bars to vehicles such as 4x4s and SUVs is illegal (pedestrian safe rated plastic bars and grilles may be used). Conversely, grill guards are widely used in Australia and the United States to protect against property damage during wildlife crashes. In Brazil, grill guards became so successful among drivers that they are fitted to smaller cars (Chevrolet Corsa,VW Crossfox) or even minibuses. Since SUVs are larger and taller than standard automobiles and tend to have heavily tinted window, seeing around, over or through the vehicles is near impossible for drivers in vehicles closer to the ground. Many times views such as traffic signals and oncoming traffic are completely obstructed. Another way in which drivers of smaller vehicles can have visibility reduced by SUVs is at night. The headlights of SUVs are approximately the same height as rear-view mirrors on standard vehicles; and the reflection can produce a blinding glare. Recent improvements Manufacturers have added car-level bumpers to reduce the possibility of the other vehicle(s) sliding under the SUV in a collision. SUV's have therefore become somewhat safer for other road users in recent years. Marketing practices Under criticism are the marketing techniques used to sell SUVs. Advertisers and manufacturers alike have been assailed for greenwashing. Critics have cited SUV commercials that show the product being driven through a wilderness area, even as most SUVs are never driven off-road. Even the model names have been criticized for connoting exotic wilderness areas (Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Durango, GMC Denali) and ruggedness (Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Expedition, Jeep Commander) that have little to do with the typical daily use of an SUV (i.e., transportation on paved roads). Tax benefits In the United States, the so-called 'SUV subsidy' (Section 179 depreciation deduction) allows small-business owners to deduct up to $25,000 of the cost of a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 6000 lb (2722 kg) from their income tax calculation. Small-business owners may deduct $10,610 of the cost of a passenger automobile. This provides a slight tax incentive for businesses to purchase an SUV. However, the cost of both SUVs and automobiles is fully deductible over future years using normal depreciation. In previous years, this deduction reached $120,000 and was the subject of much criticism. When the vehicle is eventually sold, however, the depreciation taken must be recaptured as income, subject to taxation. These SUV's include the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon Denali and other high end SUV's on the market today. Fuel economy The recent popularity of SUVs is one reason the U.S. population consumes more gasoline than in previous years.((citation needed)) SUVs are as a class much less fuel efficient than comparable passenger vehicles. The main reason is that SUVs are classified by the U.S. government as light trucks, and thus are subject to the less strict light truck standard under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations. The CAFE requirement for light trucks is an average of 20.7 mpg (US), versus 27.5 mpg (US) for passenger cars (11.4L/100km and 8.6L/100km, respectively). By design SUVs have numerous fuel-inefficient features. Their high profile increases wind resistance and their mass requires heavier suspensions and larger engines, which both contribute to increased vehicle weight. Many SUVs come with tires designed for off-road traction rather than low rolling resistance. The low fuel economy is caused by Average data for vehicle types sold in the U.S.A. (source theautochannel.com): Drag resistance for SUVs is at least (same drag coefficient) 30% higher and the acceleration force has to be 35% bigger compared to family sedans if we use the height and width figures from the above table. This gives a 40% higher fuel consumption (even for parallel hybrid electric SUVs) using the given formula for the power demand. This table illustrates that minivans also use more fuel than normal cars, and can weigh more than SUVs. However since the SUV has become the scapegoat for all things environmental, this fact is overlooked. Addressing fuel efficiency, several manufacturers now offer hybrid gas/electric models of SUVs, offering improved fuel economy over conventionally powered SUVs. With some hybrid SUV models, the added power generated from the hybrid systems is used some times to give vehicles added performance (increased power). Pollution Because SUVs typically use more fuel than cars, they generate much higher volumes of pollutants (particularly carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. In the U.S., light trucks and SUVs are held to a less-strict pollution control standard than are passenger cars. Compact SUVs like the Toyota Rav-4 and Honda CR-V are offered with diesel engines in Europe, and with these fitted, it can be argued that they have lower emissions than some cars. An example would be the Toyota Rav-4 2.2d (140 bhp) that has carbon dioxide emissions of 173g/km, compared to a Mercedes A-class 2.0T, with carbon dioxide emissions of 192g/km. However, when making a fair comparison between two diesels, the A-class 2.0 CDI has CO2 emissions of 141g/km, with the 1.6 CDI unit achieving 128 g/km and the Rav-4 2.0 petrol achieving 211 g/km. Suggestions that SUVs are ALWAYS worse for the environment than "normal" cars must be taken with caution, as there are many cars with considerably worse emissions than SUVs, (ie large saloons, minivans and sports cars). If the emissions-per-person are taken into account, larger, multi-passenger SUVs (for example the Hyundai Santa Fe with a 7-seat option) fair better in terms of environmental impact. But in general, across a spectrum of engine sizes, SUVs fair worse simply due to their larger frontal area and higher weight than conventional cars. "Breeze-block" styling does not help (as is the case with most american SUVs, such as the Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Commander, and of Land Rovers like the Range Rover) as it increases drag and thus fuel consumption. However, modern styling preferences and engines have been actively reducing emissions in the past 15 years, as SUVs have become lower, sleeker and more fuel efficient, since the demand for serious off-road capability has diminished (heavy drivetrains and dual-ratio gearboxes have been dropped in favour of light-weight suspension and lighter overall weight to aid car-like handling). SUVs (along with many cars) will continue to reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and reduce their impact upon the world's ecology.. Weight The high gross vehicle weight rating of some full-size SUVs (like the Ford Excursion and Hummer H2) technically limits their use on certain roads. Rural bridges often have a 6000 lb (2700 kg) weight limit , and some full-size SUVs surpass this limit when loaded, and the largest SUV's already pass the limit just with their curb weight. These laws are rarely enforced for SUVs, however, since these vehicles are seen as passenger vehicles instead of commercial trucks. Anti-SUV vandalism In April 2005, William Cottrell, a 24-year-old American postgraduate student at Caltech was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison and $3.5 million in fines for firebombing or vandalizing 125 SUVs at dealerships and a few homes in 2003.* Two of his associates fled the country to avoid prosecution. * Slang In southern England, SUVs are often referred to in derogatory terms as "soft roaders" or "Chelsea tractors", due to their popularity among affluent people living in central London areas such as Chelsea. In the UK they are occasionally known as jeeps or Land Rovers no matter what make they actually are, although the increasing prevalence of these vehicles in recent years has decreased this colloquial usage. In New Zealand they are occasionally called "Fendalton tractors" or "Remuera tractors" after the higher priced suburbs in Christchurch and Auckland respectively. In Australia, Victoria, they are sometimes referred to as "Toorak Tractors", though this is rare. In Norway, they are known as 'bourse tractors' due to yuppie stereotypes. In The Netherlands they are often called "PC Hooft-tractoren" after Amsterdam's most exclusive shopping street. SUVs are also criticized in the Netherlands for similar reasons, and some environmentalists are pushing local governments to deny SUV users parking spaces. See also Additional reading One Man's Battle with the Auto Industry over the Dangers of SUVs. Published by HarperBusiness. ISBN 0-06-009058-8 | |||||||||
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